Disposable absorbent article having refastenable side seams and a wetness sensation member

ABSTRACT

A disposable absorbent article including features facilitating toilet training of a wearer. A wetness sensation member provides a wetness sensation on the wearer&#39;s skin upon urination. Highlighting that is visible when viewing a body-facing surface of the article may be associatively correlated with the concept of toilet training and indicates the presence of the wetness sensation member in the article while providing a visual reference and topic for conversation relevant to toilet training. Refastenable side seams enable the configuration, application, and removal of the article as a pair of training pants or as a diaper, while providing an appearance like training pants when the article is worn and allowing easy inspection of the interior of the article without the necessity of pulling the article downward. The synergistic effect of each feature in combination with one or more of the other features enhances the usefulness of the article in toilet training.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is applicable to disposable absorbent articlesincluding diapers, training pants, pull-on diapers, incontinence briefs,incontinence undergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper holders andliners, and the like. This invention is particularly related todisposable absorbent articles that are specially adapted for use inurinary toilet training.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When wearing a typical modern disposable absorbent article, a child mayhave dry skin even after one or more occurrences of urination. As aresult, the child may feel little or no discomfort and often may noteven be aware that he or she has urinated. However, having the childfeel discomfort following urination in his or her “pants” may assistwith learning and/or provide motivation to learn to voluntarily retainurine. It is possible to use cloth training pants that leave the skinwet and, due to their high breathability, promote evaporative cooling ofthe skin, further enhancing discomfort. However, cloth training pantshave poor urine containment, often leading to wet clothing and wetsurroundings, e.g., carpeting, furniture, etc.

Disposable absorbent training pants successfully address the need toprevent soiling of the wearer's clothing and surroundings. Theseproducts are particularly appealing to caregivers and are useful in thetoilet training process because the pants have a very garment-like look.Children identify disposable absorbent article products with babies andoften do not like being identified with or as babies. Consequently,children of toilet training age often do not want to wear babydisposable absorbent articles, and instead prefer to wear training pantsthat look like adult underwear. Thus, the switch from a traditionaldisposable absorbent article to more garment-like or underwear-liketraining pants can be an important step in the toilet training process.

Current training pants are typically limited to being pulled on like apair of pants because the side seams are permanently bonded. However, inthe context of toilet training, a product that can be opened andrefastened at the side seams may be particularly useful because thiscapability permits the interior of the product to be easily inspectedwithout having to pull the product downward. Thus, a caregiver caneasily and quickly check for wetting while choosing either to describeto the child what he or she is doing in order to remind the child of theintention of toilet training or to check without interrupting thechild's current activity. When choosing to involve the child and findingthat the interior of the article is still dry, the caregiver can praisethe child for not wetting the disposable absorbent article “like a baby”and instead behaving “like a big kid”. The caregiver can also invite thechild to observe and/or to feel the interior of the article as a way ofreinforcing the notion that a dry interior is desirable. In addition, ifthe article includes a feature that provides a wetness sensation uponurination and that is visibly highlighted in the interior of thearticle, the caregiver can point out the visible highlighting to thechild when inspecting the interior in order to further reinforce theconcept of toilet training. Thus, refastenable side seams may providesignificant synergistic benefits in combination with other featuresrelated to the article's use in toilet training, particularly a wetnesssensation feature and especially one that is visibly highlighted.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide an article that can facilitateurinary toilet training by enhancing a wearer's awareness that urinationhas occurred by ensuring that the wearer feels an uncomfortable wetnesssensation resulting from urination. It would also be desirable tovisibly highlight the presence in the article of the feature thatprovides this wetness sensation to facilitate an opportunity for urinarytoilet training. In addition, it would be desirable to provide adisposable absorbent article that provides the garment-like look oftraining pants and includes refastenable side seams to allow for easyinspection of the interior of the article without the necessity ofpulling the article downward to gain access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disposable absorbent article including features facilitating toilettraining of a wearer is provided. A wetness sensation member provides awetness sensation on the wearer's skin upon urination. Highlighting thatis visible when viewing a body-facing surface of the article may beassociatively correlated with the concept of toilet training andindicates the presence of the wetness sensation member in the articlewhile providing a visual reference and topic for conversation relevantto toilet training. Refastenable side seams enable the configuration,application, and removal of the article as a pair of training pants oras a diaper, while providing an appearance like training pants when thearticle is worn and allowing easy inspection of the interior of thearticle without the necessity of pulling the article downward. Thesynergistic effect of each feature in combination with one or more ofthe other features enhances the usefulness of the article in toilettraining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing figures, like reference numerals identifylike elements, which may or may not be identical in the severalexemplary embodiments that are depicted. Some of the figures may havebeen simplified by the omission of selected elements for the purpose ofmore clearly showing other elements. Such omissions of elements in somefigures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence ofparticular elements in any of the exemplary embodiments, except as maybe explicitly delineated in the corresponding written description.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disposable disposable absorbent article.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a wetness sensation member accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article having awetness sensation member disposed on a body-facing surface.

FIG. 3 b is a cross sectional view of the disposable absorbent articleshown in FIG. 3 a illustrating the layers of the wetness sensationmember.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a pull-on disposable absorbent articleillustrating the attachment of the wetness sensation member.

FIG. 5 a is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article having awetness sensation member integrated with the topsheet.

FIG. 5 b is a cross sectional view of the disposable absorbent articleillustrated in FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 6 a is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article having twowetness sensation members integrated with the topsheet and disposedparallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis with anelongated slit opening interposed therebetween.

FIG. 6 b is a cross sectional view of the disposable absorbent articleillustrated in FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 a is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article having aZ-folded topsheet with two wetness sensation members integrated with thetopsheet and disposed in the Z-folds in the topsheet.

FIG. 7 b is a cross sectional view of the disposable absorbent articleillustrated in FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 a is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article with barrierleg cuffs including wetness sensation members integrated with thebarrier leg cuffs.

FIG. 8 b is a cross sectional view of the disposable absorbent articleillustrated in FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9 a is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article with analternative form of barrier leg cuffs including wetness sensationmembers integrated with the barrier leg cuffs.

FIG. 9 b is a cross sectional view of the disposable absorbent articleillustrated in FIG. 9 a.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable absorbentarticle 20, which is shown in its relaxed, contracted state, i.e., withthe contraction induced by elastic members. In FIG. 10, the interiorportion of the article 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer andcontacts the wearer is shown facing upward.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view similarly oriented.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the refastenable side seam 40 shownin an open condition in FIG. 11, showing the side seam in a fastenedcondition.

FIG. 13 is another perspective view oriented similarly to the views ofFIG. 10 and FIG. 11, showing an alternative form of secondary fasteningcomponent.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of an alternative refastenable sideseam 40 shown in an open condition.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the refastenable side seam 40 ofFIG. 14 shown in a fastened condition.

FIG. 16 is perspective view of an exemplary disposable absorbent article20, which is shown in its relaxed, contracted state, i.e., with thecontraction induced by elastic members. In FIG. 16, the interior portionof the article 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer and contacts thewearer is shown facing upward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

The term “absorbent article” refers to a device that absorbs andcontains liquid, and more specifically, refers to a device that isplaced against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb andcontain the various exudates discharged from the body.

The term “disposable” refers to absorbent articles that generally arenot intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused asabsorbent articles, i.e., they are intended to be discarded after asingle use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwisedisposed of in an environmentally compatible manner.

The term “unitary” refers to an absorbent article that is formed ofseparate parts united together to form a coordinated entity so as to notrequire separate manipulative parts like a separate holder and liner.

The term “diaper” refers to an absorbent article generally worn byinfants and incontinent persons about the lower torso and having thegeneral form of a sheet, different portions of which are fastenedtogether to encircle the waist and the legs of the wearer.

The term “training pants” refers to an absorbent article generally wornby infants and incontinent persons about the lower torso and having thegeneral form of a pair of short pants that can be applied or removedfrom the wearer without unfastening.

The term “refastenable” refers to the property of two elements beingcapable of releasable attachment, separation, and subsequent releasablereattachment without substantial permanent deformation or rupture.

The terms “releasably attached,” “releasably engaged”, and variationsthereof refer to two elements being connected or connectable such thatthe elements tend to remain connected absent a separation force appliedto one or both of the elements, and the elements being capable ofseparation without substantial permanent deformation or rupture. Therequired separation force is typically beyond that encountered whilewearing the absorbent garment.

The term “toilet training” refers to the development of continence,which is the ability to voluntarily retain one's urine and feces.Individuals who are incontinent are unable to voluntarily retain theirbodily discharges and, instead, urinate and defecate reflexively. Forexample, newborn babies are incontinent. Coincident with the developmentof continence, children typically develop the ability to voluntarilyurinate and defecate, and cease reflexive elimination. This developmentof continence and of voluntary elimination, in place of reflexiveelimination, may be accelerated and/or guided by caregivers throughassociative and conditioning techniques of training the child. For thepurpose of the present invention, the term “toilet training” is used todenote training both for continence, itself, and for the voluntaryelimination that is associated with continence. It is also noted thatthe term “toilet training” is synonymous with the term “potty training”.

The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction running parallel to themaximum linear dimension of the article and includes directions within±45° of the longitudinal direction.

The term “lateral” or “transverse” refers to a direction running at a 90degree angle to the longitudinal direction and includes directionswithin ±45° of the lateral direction.

The term “x-y plane” refers to the generally planar structure of a sheetmaterial defined by its length and width and lies between the sheetmaterial's two major surfaces regardless of whether or not the sheetmaterial is flat or curved.

The term “z-direction” refers to the direction through the thickness ofa sheet material and generally orthogonal to the x-y plane.

The term “disposed” refers to an element being attached and positionedin a particular place or position in a unitary structure with otherelements.

The term “attached” refers to elements being connected or united byfastening, adhering, bonding, etc. by any method suitable for theelements being attached together and their constituent materials. Manysuitable methods for attaching elements together are well-known,including adhesive bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding,mechanical fastening, etc. Such attachment methods may be used to attachelements together over a particular area either continuously orintermittently.

The term “cohesive” refers to the property of a material that sticks toitself but does not to any significant degree stick to other materials.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” refer respectively to the location ofan element relatively near to or far from the center of a structure,e.g., the proximal edge of a longitudinally extending element is locatednearer to the longitudinal axis than the distal edge of the same elementis located relative to the same longitudinal axis.

The terms “interior” and “exterior” refer respectively to the locationof an element that is intended to be placed against or toward the bodyof a wearer when an absorbent article is worn and the location of anelement that is intended to be placed against or toward any clothingthat is worn over the absorbent article. Synonyms for “interior” and“exterior” include, respectively, “inner” and “outer”, as well as“inside” and “outside”. Also, when the absorbent article is orientedsuch that its interior faces upward, e.g., when it is laid out inpreparation for setting the wearer on top of it, synonyms include“upper” and “lower” and “top” and “bottom”, respectively.

The terms “water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to thepenetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage ofdisposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable”refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/orinterconnected void spaces that permit liquid water to pass through itsthickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term“water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure through thethickness of which liquid water cannot pass in the absence of a forcingpressure. A layer or a layered structure that is water-impermeableaccording to this definition may be permeable to water vapor, i.e., maybe “water vapor-permeable”. Such a water vapor-permeable layer orlayered structure is commonly known in the art as “breathable”. As iswell known in the art, a common method for measuring the permeability towater of the materials typically used in absorbent articles is ahydrostatic pressure test, also called a hydrostatic head test or simplya “hydrohead” test. Suitable well known compendial methods for hydroheadtesting are approved by INDA (formerly the International Nonwovens andDisposables Association, now The Association of the Nonwoven FabricsIndustry) and EDANA (European Disposables And Nonwovens Association).

The term “retard” refers to the hindrance or the prevention of the flowof liquid water. In the context of the term “flow control layer”, bothterms together refer to the fact that different layers in a layeredstructure may be water-permeable, yet differ in the respective flowrates at which they permit liquid water, and likewise bodily wastes thatare aqueous in nature, to pass through their respective thicknesses. Forexample, a layer containing capillary channels and through whosethickness liquid water wicks in the absence of any forcing pressure isconsidered to be water-permeable. However, the flow rate at which liquidwater can pass through the thickness of such a layer may be lower thanthe flow rate at which liquid water can pass through the thickness of alayer containing holes that are too large to act as capillary channels.Similarly, two layers both containing capillary channels and throughwhose thicknesses liquid water wicks in the absence of any forcingpressure are both considered to be water-permeable. However, thecapillary channels in one of the layers may differ in size from those inthe other layer or may be more numerous than those in the other layer,such that the wicking flow rate of liquid water through the one layermay be greater than that through the other layer. Thus, in a layeredstructure, one layer serving as a flow control layer may retard thepassage of liquid water through the thickness of the layered structure,relative to the greater flow rate at which another of the layers wouldpermit the passage of the liquid water through its thickness in theabsence of the flow control layer. It is noted that when the flowcontrol layer is water-impermeable, it effectively prevents the passageof liquid water through its thickness in the absence of a forcingpressure, i.e., the prevention of the passage of liquid water isincluded within the meaning of the term “retard”.

The term “visible” refers to the quality of being capable of being seenby the naked eye under conditions of normal room lighting or in naturallight during the daytime. Becoming “more visible” or “less visible”means changing in visibility to a noticeable extent when viewed under agenerally constant or equal lighting condition.

The term “visible highlighting” refers to the visible differentiation ofan object such that it noticeably stands out from its surroundings,e.g., by differing in coloration, hue, or tint, by differing inlightness, darkness, or contrast, by differing due to the presence orabsence of graphical or solid color forms, or by any other variationserving to create noticeable visible differentiation.

The term “coloring” refers to the effect produced by applying orcombining colors in and/or on an object or a portion of an object.

The term “coloration” refers to the arrangement or degree of coloringespecially when used to visibly differentiate an object or a portion ofan object in order to visibly highlight it.

The term “solid coloring” refers to the unbroken, i.e., uninterrupted,coloring of an area as contrasted with the discrete line-like form ofsome graphics.

The term “graphic” refers to a product of graphic art or a graphicrepresentation in a pictorial form.

The term “associative correlation” refers to establishing a mutual orreciprocal relation between the visible highlighting and that with whichit is being associatively correlated so that an association, i.e. amental connection or bond, is formed between the two. This term is usedin the context of associatively correlating the respective visible formsof the visible highlighting and an externally visible marking in or onthe absorbent article as well as in the context of associativelycorrelating the visible highlighting with the concept of urinary toilettraining, For example, associatively correlated graphics may serve inconcert to draw attention to an opportunity for urinary toilet trainingwhen an absorbent article is viewed prior to its being worn, to providean externally visible reminder of the presence of the wetness sensationmember in the interior of the absorbent article while it is being worn,etc. Similarly, visible highlighting that provides a visual reference toa topic related to urinary toilet training, such as dryness, wetness, orprotection from wetness, may serve to associatively correlate thevisible highlighting to the concept of urinary toilet training andthereby facilitate an opportunity for urinary toilet training.

The terms “interactively interrelated”, “interactively unrelated”,“related in subject matter”, “unrelated in subject matter”, and “relatedby a common story line” are intended to have the same meanings as inU.S. Pat. No. 6,297,424 issued to Olson et al. on 2 Oct. 2001, U.S. Pat.No. 6,635,797 issued to Olson, et al. on 21 Oct. 2003, and U.S. Pat. No.6,307,119 issued to Cammarota et al. on 23 Oct. 2001.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary disposable absorbent article 20 inits flat out, uncontracted state, i.e., without elastic-inducedcontraction, with portions of the structure being cut away to moreclearly show the underlying structure of the disposable absorbentarticle 20 and with the portion of the disposable absorbent article 20which contacts the wearer facing the viewer. The disposable absorbentarticle 20 has a longitudinal axis 42 and a transverse axis 44. One endportion of the disposable absorbent article 20 is configured as a firstwaist region 36 of the disposable absorbent article 20. The opposite endportion is configured as a second waist region 38 of the disposableabsorbent article 20. The waist regions 36 and 38 generally comprisethose portions of the disposable absorbent article 20 which, when worn,encircle the waist of the wearer. The waist regions 36 and 38 mayinclude elastic elements such that they gather about the waist of thewearer to provide improved fit and containment. An intermediate portionof the disposable absorbent article 20 is configured as a crotch region37, which extends longitudinally between the first and second waistregions 36 and 38. The crotch region 37 is that portion of thedisposable absorbent article 20 which, when the disposable absorbentarticle 20 is worn, is generally positioned between the legs of thewearer. The disposable absorbent article 20 has a laterally extendingfirst waist edge 136 in the first waist region 36 and a longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending second waist edge 138 in the secondwaist region 38. The disposable absorbent article 20 has a first sideedge 137 and a laterally opposing second side edge 139, both side edgesextending longitudinally between the first waist edge 136 and the secondwaist edge 138. The portion of the first side edge 137 in the firstwaist region 36 is designated 137 a, the portion in the crotch region 37is designated 137 b, and the portion in the second waist region 38 isdesignated 137 c. The corresponding portions of the second side edge 139are designated 139 a, 139 b, and 139 b, respectively.

The disposable absorbent article 20 preferably comprises awater-permeable topsheet 24, a water-impermeable backsheet 26, and anabsorbent core 28 encased between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26.The topsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticated or may beforeshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 24 andthe core 28 and/or to tend to draw the wetness sensation member 50against the skin of the wearer. Exemplary structures includingelasticized or foreshortened topsheets are described in more detail inU.S. Pat. No. 4,892,536 issued to DesMarais et al. on Jan. 9, 1990, U.S.Pat. No. 4,990,147 issued to Freeland on Feb. 5, 1991, U.S. Pat. No.5,037,416 issued to Allen et al. on Aug. 6, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No.5,269,775 issued to Freeland et al. on Dec. 14, 1993.

The disposable absorbent article 20 may include a variety of featuresknown in the art, such as outer leg cuffs, barrier leg cuffs, front andrear ear panels, waist cap features, elastics, and the like to providedesired fit, containment, and aesthetic characteristics. Such additionalfeatures are well known in the art and are described in U.S. Pat. No.3,860,003 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092, among others.

The disposable absorbent article 20 includes refastenable side seams 40that can be used to fasten the waist regions together at the sides toapply the article like a diaper and that can also be used to configurethe article like a pair of pull-on training pants, as described in moredetail below.

The disposable absorbent article 20 includes a wetness sensation member.Several suitable structures for a wetness sensation member are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,786 issued on 30 Sep. 2003 in the name of Roe etal. An exemplary wetness sensation member is shown in FIG. 2. Thewetness sensation member 50 comprises a water-permeable body-facinglayer (upper layer) 52 and a flow control layer 54 disposed in aface-to-face arrangement with the water-permeable layer 52. The flowcontrol layer is preferably impermeable to liquid water but permeable tovapor so that it is breathable. Preferably, but not necessarily, someportion of the wetness sensation member and/or a layer to which thewetness sensation member is attached is configured to draw the wetnesssensation member toward the skin of the wearer, such as by beingelastically foreshortened, formed to have a lesser length than anotherlayer disposed relatively exteriorly, etc.

During insults of urine, the water-permeable layer allows urine topenetrate in the z-direction and also provides a medium for the flow ofurine in the x-y plane via wicking. The flow control layer retards thepassage of the urine through the wetness sensation member in thez-direction, thereby expanding the wetted area of the wetness sensationmember, which preferably is held in contact with the wearer's skin. Thecombination of limited penetration in the z-direction and wicking in thex-y plane causes the urine to spread out and effectively wet a largearea before being absorbed into the absorbent core, thereby maximizingthe wetness signal experienced by the wearer.

Exemplary water-permeable layers suitable for use in the wetnesssensation members of the present invention include nonwovens, foams,woven materials, etc. The water-permeable layer is preferablyhydrophilic. Exemplary flow control layers suitable for use in thewetness sensation members of the present invention include polyolefinicfilms, microporous or breathable films, other films, and hydrophobicnonwovens. Suitable hydrophobic nonwovens include SM (spunbondmeltblown), SMS (spunbond meltblown spunbond), and SMMS (spunbondmeltblown meltblown spunbond) composites.

In the absorbent articles of the present invention, visible highlightingmay be provided in the interior of the article to indicate the presenceof the wetness sensation member or members and thereby facilitate anopportunity for the urinary toilet training of the wearer of thearticle. Such visible highlighting is described in co-pending andcommonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/697,225 filed on30 Oct. 2003 in the name of Davis et al. Although a wetness sensationmember lacking this visible highlighting is fully functional in terms ofproviding a noticeable wetness signal to the wearer, the caregiver mightoverlook or forget the possibility of capitalizing on each opportunityfor urinary toilet training if the body-facing portion of the absorbentarticle presents a generally uniform appearance, such as in absorbentarticles that present a generally uniform white appearance on theirbody-facing surfaces.

Furthermore, once the caregiver decides to mention urinary toilettraining to the wearer, the visible highlighting can serve to draw thewearer's interest or can be pointed out by the caregiver andincorporated into an explanation of the upcoming opportunity. Thus, thevisible highlighting can provide a topic for conversation between thecaregiver and the wearer on the subject of urinary toilet training andcan likewise provide a nameable object for reference by the wearer,greatly simplifying the mental task required of the wearer who desiresto communicate his or her need to go to the toilet or to communicate hisor her improving recognition of the wetness signal provided by thewetness sensation member.

Even a simple solid coloring form of visible highlighting can serve tofacilitate an opportunity for urinary toilet training, especially whenused with wearers possessing some recognition of colors or coloredforms. In addition, visible highlighting in the form of a color orcolors may facilitate the teaching of recognition of colors anddifferences between colors, and the associated learning may enhance theurinary toilet training process in turn.

Because it is located in what may be generally termed the laterallycentral region of the absorbent article, visibly highlighting thewetness sensation member may provide additional benefits related to thelearning achieved by the wearer. For example, a visibly highlightedwetness sensation member may provide a line of reference for the visualseparation of the two leg openings, including their differentiation intoright and left leg openings for the respective feet to be inserted intothe corresponding leg openings. Similarly, a longitudinally orientedvisible highlighting may serve as a visual reference for the front toback direction, both for orienting the article prior to applying it, ifdone by the caregiver, or prior to donning it, if done by the wearer.This longitudinally oriented visual reference may also aid in theteaching of such skills as wiping one's self clean after using thetoilet by using a longitudinal motion. The concept of something beingcentral or “in the middle” may be taught and learned by visual referenceto the visible highlighting and this concept may then be applied torelated subjects, such as the anatomical location of the source of urineand the corresponding proper position in which to sit on the toilet.Thus, in the above and similar ways, the wearer can be made more awareof his or her own body, which may tend to enhance and facilitate theurinary toilet training experience.

In addition, the visible highlighting can serve to enhance theself-esteem of the wearer through a reminder that he or she is matureenough to be engaged in urinary toilet training. This effect can becompounded when the wearer succeeds in recognizing the need to go to thetoilet and then sees the dry condition of the visibly highlightedwetness sensation member inside the article after pulling it down.

The visible highlighting may be provided by means of printing onto asurface of the wetness sensation member or one of its layers. Forexample, solid coloring or a graphic may be printed onto a surface ofthe flow control layer underlying the water-permeable layer. As anotherexample, an adhesive or a gel may be printed onto a surface of either ofthe two layers. Such an adhesive or gel may be colored differently fromthe surrounding area. Alternatively, the adhesive or gel may beuncolored or may have the same color as the surrounding area, but maystill provide visible highlighting by forming a distinctive raised areaor pattern and/or by surrounding a distinctive recessed area or pattern.

The visible highlighting may also be provided by forming one or morelayers of the wetness sensation member of a colored material, forexample, a fibrous layer containing colored fibers, a monolithic layercontaining a dispersed or imbedded colorant, a layer of an unbleachedmaterial that is colored in its virgin state, and so on.

In some embodiments, the visible highlighting may be provided byimpressing or embossing the wetness sensation member or one of itlayers. The impressed, embossed, or bonded portions of the wetnesssensation member may provide a tactile sensation in addition to visiblyhighlighting the presence and location of the wetness sensation member.For instance, a raised area or a recessed area or the combination ofraised and recessed areas adjacent to each other may be felt by the handand, in some embodiments, may be felt by the wearer while wearing thearticle. Similarly, the raised area or pattern formed by a printedadhesive or gel, as mentioned above, may provide such a tactilesensation. Just as with the visible highlighting alone, the combinationof visible highlighting and this tactile sensation can serve to draw thewearer's interest or can be pointed out by the caregiver andincorporated into an explanation of the upcoming opportunity for urinarytoilet training.

In addition, the visible highlighting may be provided by incorporatingdistinctive fibers or filaments in one or both layers of the wetnesssensation member or by distinctively orienting fibers or filaments inone of these layers. For example, a fiber or a filament of a distinctivecolor may be incorporated into the flow control material to visiblyhighlight its presence and its location in the article. Similarly, adistinctively thicker fiber or filament may be embedded in one of thetwo layers and thereby form a distinctive raised area or pattern.

If the portions of the structure of the absorbent article surroundingthe wetness sensation member are of one color, the visible highlightingcan be provided by the use of another color, by the use of contrast, bythe use of a different pattern in the same or a similar color, or by anyother method that visibly differentiates the wetness sensation memberfrom the surrounding structural elements.

In some embodiments, the visible highlighting may include more than onecolor, more than one difference in contrast, more than one pattern, morethan one graphic; more than one area of solid coloring, and so on, suchthat all portions of this description referring to the singular of aform of visible highlighting are meant to include the plural, and viceversa.

The visible highlighting may include open or closed geometric figures, atwo dimensional representation of a three dimensional object, arepresentation of a commonly named or nameable shape or object, arepresentation of a recognizable object used in play, and/or arepresentation of a character that may be known to the wearer, such as ateddy bear, a character appearing on a television show for children, acharacter appearing in a game or a storybook for children, etc. Inembodiments in which the visible highlighting includes a variety offigures, objects, and/or characters, the various elements of the visiblehighlighting may be interactively interrelated, related by subjectmatter, and/or related by a common story line. Conversely, the variouselements may be interactively unrelated, unrelated by subject matter,and/or not related by a common story line.

When solid coloring is used, it may partially or completely fill thearea bounded by a graphic outline, appear as shading inside or outsidesuch a graphic outline, itself form a “filled-in” graphic, or simplyuninterruptedly occupy an area, e.g., occupy the entire width of a layerof the wetness sensation member over all or a portion of thecorresponding length.

In some embodiments, the visible highlighting may become more or lessvisible when the wetness sensation member is wetted. In addition, thevisible highlighting may change color when the wetness sensation memberis wetted. Any of these effects may be created by the use of inks ordyes or other agents that undergo chemical reactions or are dispersed orconcentrated when wetted by urine. In general, any of the wetnessindicating compositions commonly used in externally visible wetnessindicators, such as so-called “appearing” or “disappearing” wetnessindicators that may become more or less visible when wetted and inwetness indicators that may change color when wetted, may be used forthese versions of visible highlighting.

It is important to note that rather than being structurally disposed insuch a way as to provide a wetness indication that is visible from theoutside of the absorbent article, any wetness indicating compositionsused for the visible highlighting of the wetness sensation member mustbe visible from the body-facing surface of the absorbent article. Thisdifferent disposition enables the caregiver to apply differenttechniques to the task of urinary toilet training when using anabsorbent article of the present invention, as compared to using anabsorbent article having only a wetness indicator visible from theoutside of the article. For example, while the change in an exteriorwetness indicator is visible for all to see, any change in the visiblehighlighting of an interior wetness sensation member remains “private”until either the caregiver or the wearer peers into the absorbentarticle or it is removed. Therefore, whether or not any wetting of theabsorbent article has occurred can, itself, become the focus of aplayful activity resembling a game, with the “secret” being revealedonly when the caregiver and the wearer agree to conclude the game. Ifthe wearer notices a sensation of wetness or merely desires to check thecondition of the “private” indication, he or she can simply look insidethe absorbent article. If the appearance of the visible highlighting haschanged, the wearer can then choose to bring this to the attention ofthe caregiver in the context of asking to go to the bathroom. Inaddition, because the visible highlighting serves as a “private”indication, the wearer might be able to detect a change in itsappearance before the appearance of any externally visible wetnessindicator changes and thereby be the first person to mention the subjectof going to the toilet. Furthermore, the provision of both visual andtactile sensations to the wearer may serve to reinforce the tactilesensation of wetness and thereby enhance the training effect of thewetness sensation member. An absorbent article in which the wetting isindicated by both a wetness sensation and a visible change in theappearance of the visible highlighting may thus facilitate fasterlearning on the part of the wearer.

Although the appearance of the visible highlighting remains “private”until either the caregiver or the wearer peers into the absorbentarticle or it is removed, the visible highlighting may be associativelycorrelated in visible form with marking that is located elsewhere in oron the absorbent article and is visible from the outside of theabsorbent article. This externally visible marking may be permanent ormay change in appearance while the absorbent article is being worn. Forexample, the externally visible marking may be an externally visiblewetness indicator. By giving the visible highlighting of the wetnesssensation member a visible form that is similar to the visible form ofan externally visible marking, an opportunity for urinary toilettraining may be enhanced. For instance, the caregiver can point out thesimilarity between the externally visible marking and the “private”visible highlighting of the wetness sensation member and ask the wearerto remember the hidden visible highlighting every time he or she noticesthe externally visible marking.

Even in embodiments in which the appearance of the visible highlightingis not affected by its being wetted, the associative correlation of therespective visible forms of an externally visible marking and thevisible highlighting may serve to facilitate an opportunity for urinarytoilet training. For example, if both the externally visible marking andthe visible highlighting have the visible form of similar graphics, theexternally visible marking can serve to draw the wearer's interest orcan be pointed out by the caregiver and incorporated into an explanationof the ongoing opportunity for urinary toilet training.

Such associative correlation of the respective visible forms of anexternally visible marking and the visible highlighting can be achievedwithout the respective visible forms being similar, so long as therespective visible forms are mutually related in a recognizable way. Forexample, the visible forms may be related in subject matter and/or maybe related by a common story line and/or be interactively interrelated.Even an associative correlation of a simple solid coloring form of anexternally visible marking with a similar solid coloring form of visiblehighlighting can serve to facilitate an opportunity for urinary toilettraining, especially when used with wearers possessing some recognitionof colors or colored forms.

Alternatively, the visible highlighting may be associativelyuncorrelated with any externally visible marking. The lack ofassociative correlation may be complete or may be specific, e.g., therespective visible forms of the visible highlighting and the externallyvisible marking may be unrelated in subject matter, not related by acommon story line, and/or interactively unrelated, while still beingassociatively correlated in another way.

The visible form of the visible highlighting of the wetness sensationmember need not be associatively correlated with the concept of urinarytoilet training. However, in some embodiments, the visible form of thevisible highlighting may be associatively correlated with the concept ofurinary toilet training by, for example, providing a visual reference tothe liquid-related nature of urinary toilet training, such as wetness,dryness, protection from wetness, the flow of a liquid, water, etcetera, and thus may serve to facilitate an opportunity for urinarytoilet training.

The visible highlighting may emphasize dryness by depicting the sun,fair weather clouds, a sunny day, etc., while wetness may be referencedby a depiction of a water puddle, a cloud with falling rain, etc. Avisual reference to protection from wetness may be provided by adepiction of an umbrella, a raincoat, a rain hat, galoshes, a submarine,or some other object that may be associated by the wearer with theconcept of staying dry in a wet environment.

In any of these visible forms of visible highlighting that areassociatively correlated with the concept of urinary toilet training, ahuman form and/or a recognizable character may be depicted in thevisible highlighting. For example, a child may be shown in conjunctionwith inanimate objects, a child may be shown sitting on a potty chair,and/or a character from a children's storybook or a children'stelevision program may be shown in similar poses, etc.

The wetness sensation member according to the present invention may bearranged in an absorbent article in a variety of configurations. Inaddition, absorbent articles may include a single wetness sensationmember or a plurality of wetness sensation members. In any event, thewetness sensation member(s) are preferably a part of, or attached to, anelement or web, such as a topsheet, which is reliably held against theskin of the wearer. The wetness sensation member may extend over aportion of the disposable absorbent article spanning less than one halfof the length of the article or else extend over a substantial part ofthe article spanning more than one half the length of the article. Inaddition, the wetness sensation member(s) are preferably positionedwithin the absorbent article to enhance the likelihood of being wettedwith urine.

An exemplary embodiment of a disposable absorbent article 20 including awetness sensation member 50 disposed with the topsheet 24 is illustratedin FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b. The wetness sensation member in thisembodiment is a separate composite member attached to the topsheet. Thewetness sensation member comprises a water-permeable body-facing layer52 and a flow control layer 54 disposed in a face-to-face arrangementwith the body-facing layer. The visible highlighting 200 is shown inFIG. 3 a as an exemplary pattern of wavy lines and circles.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the wetness sensation member 50has elastic properties and includes a first longitudinal end 70 attachedto the first waist region 36 and a second longitudinal end 72 attachedto the second waist region 38. In addition, a center portion 74 of themember 50 is preferably attached to the crotch region 37 in order tostabilize the member and facilitate fitting the article to the wearer,prevent interference with bowel movements and ensure good contact withthe wearer's skin.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 b, the flowcontrol layer 54 of the wetness sensation member 50 is attached to theinner surface of the topsheet 24 such that a portion of the topsheet 24serves as the water-permeable layer 52 of the wetness sensation member50. For this embodiment, the topsheet 24 is preferably elasticallyforeshortened to deflect the wetness sensation member 50 into contactwith the wearer's skin. Alternatively, this embodiment may include atopsheet that is shorter in length than the backsheet, having thelongitudinal ends of the topsheet contiguous with the longitudinal endsof the backsheet so that as the disposable absorbent article is fittedaround the wearer, the topsheet is forced into contact with the wearer'sskin. The visible highlighting 200 is shown in FIG. 5 a as an exemplarypattern of heart shapes.

Absorbent articles according to the present invention may include aplurality of wetness sensation members disposed on the body-facingsurface of the article. An example of an embodiment providing aplurality of wetness sensation members is shown in FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6b. Two flow control layers 54 a and 54 b are attached to the bottomsurface of the topsheet 24 forming two wetness sensation members 50 aand 50 b. For this embodiment, the flow control layers 54 a and 54 b aredisposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core 28 so that thetopsheet serves as the water-permeable layers 52 of the wetnesssensation members. The two flow control layers 54 a and 54 b aredisposed parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal centerline42 of the disposable absorbent article 20. The spacing is determined toallow enough liquid to pass through to the core so as to preventflooding that can result in leakage of the absorbent article duringurination, while at the same time allowing enough liquid to flow andwick toward the flow control layers forming the wetness sensationmembers. The spacing between the flow control layers can be about 10 mmbut can range from about 5 mm to about 15 mm and from about 8 mm and toabout 12 mm. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b hasonly two wetness sensation members, other absorbent article embodimentshaving three or more wetness sensation members are contemplated. Thevisible highlighting 200 is shown in FIG. 6 a as an exemplary pattern ofoblong ovaloid shapes.

As shown in FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b, the spacing of the flow controllayers provides room for an elongated slit opening 80 in the topsheet24. The elongated slit opening 80 is adapted to receive feces from thewearer and isolate the same from the wearer's skin. The elasticizedregions 82 a and 82 b located adjacent to the slit opening 80 maintainalignment of the slit opening with the wearer's anus during use. Theelasticized regions may also deflect the wetness sensation memberstoward the wearer's skin to maintain contact therewith during use.Exemplary elasticized topsheets including elongated slit openings aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,191 issued 19 Nov. 2002 in the name ofRoe et al. Alternatively, the flow control layers 54 a and 54 b of thewetness sensation members may be elastically foreshortened to providebenefits similar to those provided by the elasticized regions disposedin the topsheet.

In another alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 7 a and FIG. 7 b, thetopsheet 24 serves as the water-permeable layer 52 similar to theprevious embodiment. However, the flow control layers 54 a and 54 b aredisposed in two parallel oppositely facing Z-folds 90 a and 90 b formedin the topsheet 24 along the longitudinal length of the disposableabsorbent article 20, thus forming two wetness sensation members 50 aand 50 b. The Z-folded topsheet may be attached to the underlying layersalong the longitudinal edges of the topsheet 24, thus allowing theportion of the topsheet between the Z-folds to float freely.Longitudinally extending elastic elements 92 a and 92 b are disposedalong the flow control layers 54 a and 54 b in order to deflect thecenter portion of the Z-folded topsheet away from the absorbent core 28.The elastic elements may be disposed along the outer edges of the flowcontrol layers 54 a and 54 b as shown in FIG. 7 b, or alternatively, maybe disposed in a face-to-face arrangement with the flow control layers.The combination of the Z-folded topsheet and the elastic elementsmaintains the wetness sensation members in contact with the wearer'sskin in the event that the disposable absorbent article sags or fitsloosely around the wearer. The visible highlighting 200 is shown in FIG.7 a as an exemplary pattern of star shapes.

In order to prevent the portion of the topsheet between the Z-folds frombeing forced into the gluteal groove and from interfering with thebarrier leg cuffs, which are not shown in FIG. 7 a or FIG. 7 b, thespacing between the Z-folds can be about 65 mm and can range from about50 mm to about 90 mm. Further, in order to control the deflection of theportion of the topsheet between the Z-folds, transverse bonds may beformed between the Z-folds in the first waist region, the second waistregion and the crotch region using adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, radiofrequency bonds, or other suitable means in order to control deflection.These transverse bonds may attach the Z-folded section to thebody-facing surface of the topsheet and the section between the Z-foldsto the underlying core.

As an alternative to a portion of the topsheet serving as a layer of awetness sensation member, other components of the disposable absorbentarticle such as the barrier leg cuffs may serve as such a layer. Thebarrier leg cuffs may be made from either water-permeable orwater-impermeable material. In either case, the barrier leg cuffmaterial may serve as one of the layers of the wetness sensation member.In such exemplary embodiments, the structure of the barrier leg cuffspreferably holds the wetness sensation members in contact with the skinof the wearer to provide the sensation of wetness against the wearer'slegs and/or crotch crease.

An exemplary embodiment in which barrier leg cuffs serve as layers ofthe wetness sensation members is shown in FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b. Thedisposable absorbent article 20 for this embodiment includes barrier legcuffs 100 a and 100 b made from water-impermeable material and a portionof each barrier leg cuff serves as the flow control layer of therespective wetness sensation member. The water-permeable layer 110 canextend the length of each of the barrier leg cuffs and preferablyextends at least the length of the crotch region 37 and the front waistregion 36. The water-permeable layer 110 is preferably disposed onportions of the cuff closest to the longitudinal axis 42 of thedisposable absorbent article 20 to increase the likelihood of becomingwetted during urination. As shown in FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b, the barrierleg cuffs 100 a and 100 b include elastic elements 108 a and 108 b,which serve to deflect the leg cuffs away from the topsheet 24 towardthe skin of the wearer. The visible highlighting 200 is shown in FIG. 8a as an exemplary pattern of angled lines.

Another exemplary embodiment in which barrier leg cuffs serve as layersof the wetness sensation members is shown in FIG. 9 a and FIG. 9 b. Inthis embodiment, the barrier leg cuffs 100 a and 100 b are made of awater-permeable material and are otherwise arranged similarly to theembodiment shown in FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b. However, because the barrierleg cuff material serves as the water-permeable body-facing layer ofeach of the wetness sensations members 150 a and 150 b in thisembodiment, flow control layers 54 a and 54 b are located between theabsorbent core and each respective water-permeable layer formed by thebarrier leg cuff material. The visible highlighting 200 is shown in FIG.9 a as an exemplary pattern of oval shapes.

The embodiments of wetness sensation members disclosed hereunder performmost effectively when held in contact with the skin of the wearer. Inorder to ensure that contact is made with the wearer's skin during use,the body-facing portion of the wetness sensation members may include abody-adhering composition, such as a topical adhesive, which acts tohold the wetness sensation member in place during use. The body-adheringcomposition may be applied to at least a portion of the body-facingsurface of the wetness sensation member. However, the body-adheringcomposition may also be integral with the material making up thebody-facing layer of the wetness sensation member. Further, thebody-adhering composition may be disposed on any portion of the wetnesssensation member contacting the skin of the wearer in any pattern orconfiguration including, but not limited to lines, stripes, dots, andthe like. Such a body-adhering composition may include any of one ormore substances capable of releasably adhering to the skin of thewearer, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,231,369, 4,593,053,4,699,146, 4,738,257, 5,726,250, 4,078,568, 4,140,115, 4,192,785,4,393,080, 4,505,976, 4,551,490, 4,768,503, 5,614,586, and 5,674,275,and in the PCT Application published as WO 94/13235A1.

As previously mentioned, the disposable absorbent article 20 includesrefastenable side seams that can be used to fasten the waist regionstogether at the sides to apply the article like a diaper onto the bodyof the wearer and that can also be used to configure the article like apair of pull-on training pants. These refastenable side seams provideseveral benefits including the significant synergistic benefits relatedto the article's use in toilet training that are described above. Therefastenable side seams can be fastened by the user before the articleis applied onto the body of the wearer and the article can then beapplied like a pair of pull-on training pants. The refastenable sideseams can be opened and refastened after the article is applied onto thebody of the wearer in order to gain access for the inspection of theinterior of the article and/or to adjust its configuration while beingworn. Of course, the side seams can also be opened for the ultimateremoval of the article for disposal, as an alternative to leaving thearticle in the form of a pair of training pants and pulling it downwardover the legs and feet for removal.

The refastenable side seams also facilitate the pre-configuration of thearticle in the form of a pair of training pants prior to the point ofsale to the consumer, if such a pre-fastened presentation is desired bythe manufacturer, distributor, and/or retailer, while still providingthe user with the alternative of opening the side seams in preparationfor applying the article like a diaper. For example, several likedisposable absorbent articles of the present invention may bepre-configured by fastening their side seams and then packaged togetherfor shipment and subsequent sale. The packaging may take any desiredform, e.g., a stack of folded articles contained inside a sealed filmbag, a stack of folded articles inside a closed carton, or any otherform of a number of articles contained inside a closed container. Whenthe user removes each pre-fastened article from the package and preparesto use it, he or she can decide whether to apply it while the side seamis still fastened, i.e., while remaining configured as a pair oftraining pants, or to open the side seams and apply the article as adiaper by refastening the side seams after properly positioning thearticle relative to the wearer's body. Thus, regardless of whether ornot the articles inside the package are pre-fastened, the user isprovided with the option of applying each article having refastenableside seams as a pair of training pants or as an open diaper that mustthen be fastened at the side seams.

Some existing disposable absorbent articles have refastenable sideseams. However, some older children, such as those of toilet trainingage, may be able to open conventional refastenable side seams andthereby remove a disposable absorbent article. A child may intentionallyattempt to remove the article or may simply manipulate the refastenableside seams and inadvertently remove the article. Therefore, it may bedesirable to include elements that restrict access to the refastenableside seams and/or that make the opening of the side seams relativelymore difficult than the opening of conventional refastenable side seamsin order to help protect against the opening of the side seams by thechild while allowing an adult caregiver to open and refasten the sideseams at will.

An example of refastenable side seams 40 is shown in FIG. 10. In thisembodiment, a primary fastening component 43 is disposed on the interiorof the disposable absorbent article 20 in the second waist region 38adjacent to the portion 137 c of the first side edge and another primaryfastening component 43 is disposed on the interior of the disposableabsorbent article 20 in the second waist region adjacent to the portion139 c of the second side edge. The portion 137 c of the side edge isshown in an open condition, such as prior to closing and fastening orafter being reopened. The portion 139 c of the opposing side edge isshown fastened, i.e., forming a pants configuration. In FIG. 10, thesecond waist region 38 overlaps the first waist region 36 when they arefastened together. Alternatively, the primary fastening components 43may be disposed on the interior of the article 20 in the first waistregion 36 such that the first waist region 36 overlaps the second waistregion 38 when they are fastened together. In addition, the primaryfastening components 43 may be disposed on the exterior of the article20 rather than on the interior.

The primary fastening component may be formed of any material and in anyform that will releasably attach to the mating surface of the opposingwaist region when pressed against it. For example, the primary fasteningcomponent may be a mechanical fastener that releasably engages with themating surface, such as by means of a plurality of hooks engaging withloops formed by fibers in a nonwoven sheet. Alternatively, the primaryfastening component may be an adhesive that releasably adheres to themating surface.

As described in more detail below, the primary fastening component mayalso interact with a discrete mating fastening component. For example, amechanical primary fastening component containing hooks may engage witha discrete mating fastening component containing loops. Similarly, anadhesive primary fastening component may adhere to a discrete matingfastening sheet that is specifically selected for good adhesion. Alsosimilarly, a cohesive primary fastening component may cohere to a matingcohesive fastening component. Each of the fastening components may haveany suitable shape, such as rectangular, circular, ovaloid, undulating,etc. The shape may be chosen according to various criteria, such as tomaximize or minimize the area of the fastening component, to impart aparticular appearance to the fastening component, to distribute thestresses and forces to which the fastening component is subjected whenthe article is worn in a particular way, etc.

Another example of refastenable side seams is shown in FIG. 11. In thisembodiment, the primary fastening components 43 are disposed on theexterior of the disposable absorbent article 20 in the first waistregion adjacent to the portions 137 a and 139 a of the respective sideedges. Discrete mating fastening components 45 are correspondinglydisposed on the interior of the article 20 in the second waist region 38adjacent to the portions 137 c and 139 c of the respective side edges.In addition, secondary fastening components 46 are disposed laterallyadjacent to the primary fastening components 43.

When both primary fastening components and discrete mating fasteningcomponents are present, their disposition relative to the interior andexterior of the disposable absorbent article is generallyinterchangeable, i.e., they may be disposed as shown in FIG. 11 or theprimary fastening component may be disposed interiorly and the matingfastening component may be disposed interiorly. Similarly, theirdisposition relative to the first waist region and the second waistregion is generally interchangeable, i.e., they may be disposed suchthat the second waist region 38 overlaps the first waist region 36 whenthey are fastened together as shown in FIG. 11 or they may be disposedsuch that the first waist region 36 overlaps the second waist region 38when they are fastened together. In addition, the secondary fasteningcomponents may be disposed adjacent to the primary fastening componentsand on the same surface as the primary fastening components, as shown inFIG. 11, or may be disposed on a mating surface and/or adjacent to adiscrete mating fastening component. In general, as is apparent from theabove description, the initial disposition(s) of the primary fasteningcomponent(s) is (are) not critical, so long as the opposing waistregions can be fastened together in an overlapped configuration tosandwich the fastening component(s) between them.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12, each of the secondaryfastening components serves to fasten the overlapping portions of thewaist regions together adjacent to the releasable attachment formed bythe adjacent primary and the mating fastening components. When disposedbetween the primary fastening component 43 and the portion 137 c of theside edge that exteriorly overlaps in the fastened side seam 40, asshown in FIG. 12, the secondary fastening component may restrict and/orprevent direct lateral access to the primary fastening component andthereby help protect against the opening of the side seams by a childwho is wearing the disposable absorbent article. In order to enhancethis protection, the secondary fastening component may overlap theprimary fastening component in addition to being disposed between it andthe exteriorly overlapped side edge, thereby eliminating any laterallyextending gap between the two, into which a finger could be inserted topry the overlapping waist region loose from the overlapped waist region.Alternatively or in addition, a secondary fastening component may bedisposed between the side edge that is interiorly overlapped and theprimary fastening component, i.e., laterally symmetrically opposite thesecondary fastening component shown in FIG. 12.

Alternatively or in addition, a secondary fastening component may bedisposed between the primary fastening component and the adjacent waistedge and/or between the primary fastening component and the crotchregion. Such a longitudinally adjacent disposition of the secondaryfastening component relative to the primary fastener in the fastenedside seam may more effectively restrict the access to the primaryfastener than only a laterally adjacent disposition. Also, the secondaryfastening component may be disposed both laterally adjacent andlongitudinally adjacent to the primary fastener. For example, thesecondary fastening component 46 shown in FIG. 13 extends around threesides of the primary fastening component 43 so as to be disposed betweenthe primary fastening component and each of the exteriorly overlappingside edge portion 137 c, the adjacent waist edge 136, and the crotchregion 37, when the side seam is fastened. As an alternative to acontinuously extending secondary fastening component like that shown inFIG. 13, more than one discrete secondary fastening component and/or asegmented secondary fastening component may be provided. For example, adiscrete laterally adjacent longitudinally extending secondary fastenerlike that in FIG. 11 may be provided in combination with one or morediscrete longitudinally adjacent laterally extending secondaryfastener(s) to form an overall secondary fastening component patternsimilar to that formed by the continuous secondary fastening componentof FIG. 13.

The secondary fastening component may be formed of any material that issuitable for the primary fastening component. In some embodiments, thesecondary fastening components may be formed of a different materialfrom the primary fastening component in order to take advantage of theunique properties of different materials. For example, a mechanicalfastener may be used for the primary fastening component in order toprovide sufficient shear strength when fastened to resist the hoopforces to which the waist regions are subjected when the disposableabsorbent article is worn. An adhesive may be used for the correspondingsecondary fastening component because the mechanical fastener resistssubstantially all of the shear forces and the only force exerted on thesecondary fastening component is a peel force that is applied when thecaregiver desires to gain access to the primary fastening component. Thesecondary fastening component is preferably refastenable after beingopened, so that it can continue to be used to restrict access to theprimary fastening component after the latter has been opened andrefastened.

Another example of refastenable side seams is shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15,and FIG. 16. In this embodiment, a primary fastening component 43 isdisposed on the interior of the disposable absorbent article 20 in thesecond waist region 38 adjacent to the portion 137 c of the first sideedge and another primary fastening component 43 is disposed on theinterior of the disposable absorbent article 20 in the second waistregion adjacent to the portion 139 c of the second side edge. Inaddition, a secondary fastening component 46 is disposed laterallyadjacent to each of the primary fastening components. These secondaryfastening components 46 serve to fasten the waist regions together in aflanged arrangement adjacent to the portion 137 a of the first side edgein the first waist region 36 and adjacent to the portion 139 a of thesecond side edge in the first waist region.

As shown in FIG. 14, the secondary fastening component 46 can be used tofasten the waist regions together in the flanged arrangement withoutfastening the primary fastening component 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 15,the primary fastening component may also be fastened to form arefastenable side seam 40 in which the waist regions are overlappedwhere they are fastened together by the primary fastening component 43and are arranged in a flanged configuration where they are fastenedtogether by the secondary fastening component 46. The waist regions mayfirst be fastened together by only the secondary fastening components 46and the disposable absorbent article thus configured as a pair oftraining pants. Then, after the article is applied onto the body of thewearer by being pulled up over the legs, the primary fasteningcomponents 43 may be used to firmly secure the article in place.

As can be understood by reference to FIG. 15, the primary fasteningcomponent 43 may be placed at any selected position on the overlappedwaist region, such that the overlapping waist region may be overlappedby any selected distance onto the opposing waist region. The distance ofoverlap may be selected to fit the disposable absorbent article onto thewearer as desired, e.g., loosely, tightly, etc. For example, as shown inFIG. 15, the second waist region 38 may be overlapped onto the firstwaist region 36 a distance that creates a desired tightness of fitaround the waist of the wearer by creating a fold 48 in the first waistregion of the necessary width. In other words, the overlapping waistregion may be cinched as tightly as desired and then fastened to theoverlapped waist region by the primary fastening component 43 to retainthe tightness thus achieved. In particular, the disposable absorbentarticle may be packaged with the secondary fastening component fastenedand the primary fastening component open, with the secondary fasteningcomponent located such that the fit around the waist of a wearer of theintended size is relatively loose. Such a configuration presents thearticle to the user as a pair of training pants that can be easilyapplied onto the body of a wearer. After application, the primaryfastening component can be used to achieve the desired fit for wear overa period of time.

In FIG. 16, the portion 137 c of the side edge in the second waistregion 38 is shown in an open condition, such as prior to cinching thewaist and fastening the primary fastening component 43 to the firstwaist region 36 or after being reopened, while the adjacent secondaryfastening component 46 is shown already fastened. The portion 139 c ofthe opposing side edge is shown in a fastened condition, i.e., forming apants configuration, with both the primary fastening component 43 andthe secondary fastening component 46 fastening the first waist region 36and the second waist region 38 together.

As noted above, the secondary fastening components may be formed of anymaterial that is suitable for the primary fastening components and/ormay be formed of a different material from the primary fasteningcomponents in order to take advantage of the unique properties ofdifferent materials. In addition, in at least the embodiment shown inFIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16, the secondary fastening components may beformed by bonding, sealing, or otherwise attaching the opposing waistregions together adjacent to their common side edges, e.g., if it isdesired to configure the disposable absorbent article as a pair oftraining pants and to provide the refastenable side seam in the form ofa cinching feature. For example, the secondary fastening components maybe located such that the fit around the waist of the intended size ofwearer is relatively loose to provide a desired degree of access for theinspection of the interior of the article. The refastenable primaryfastening components may then be used to cinch the overlapping waistregion to achieve the desired fit on the wearer. Whenever it is desiredto inspect the interior of the article, the primary fastening componentmay be unfastened and subsequently refastened after the inspection iscompleted. Additionally, the secondary fastening component that isformed by bonding, sealing, or otherwise attaching the waist regionstogether may be frangible, such that it can be unfastened to detach thewaist regions from each other, e.g., to enlarge the size of the waistopening and/or for the removal of the article after use. In such anembodiment, the refastenable primary fastening component may still beused to fasten the waist regions together and may still be opened forthe inspection of the interior of the article and/or for the removal ofthe article after use.

Several forms of refastenable side seams, the fastening componentsforming them, and the materials that are suitable for forming them aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2003/0060794published on 27 Mar. 2003 in the name of Olson. Processes for formingrefastenable side fasteners and for protecting them during manufacturingand packaging are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,526 issued on 6 Aug.2002 in the name of Heindel et al. Among several alternatives, such sideseams, fastening components, materials, and processes may be used toproduce the disposable absorbent articles of the present invention.

The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and any patentswhich issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreignpatent applications, and all publications listed and/or referenced inthis application, are hereby incorporated herein by reference. It isexpressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents or anycombination of the documents incorporated herein by reference teaches ordiscloses the present invention.

While particular embodiments and/or individual features of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious tothose skilled in the art that various other changes and modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Further, it should be apparent that all combinations of suchembodiments and features are possible and can result in preferredexecutions of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intendedto cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope ofthis invention.

1. A disposable absorbent article for wearing about a lower torso of awearer and having a longitudinal axis, two laterally opposed articleside edges extending between a laterally extending first waist edge in afirst waist region and a laterally extending second waist edge in alongitudinally opposing second waist region, and a crotch region betweenthe waist regions, the disposable absorbent article comprising: abacksheet; a topsheet attached to the backsheet and haying a body-facingsurface; an absorbent core disposed intermediate the backsheet and thetopsheet; at least one wetness sensation member including awater-permeable body-facing layer covering a portion of the absorbentcore and a flow control layer disposed between the water-permeablebody-facing layer and the absorbent core in a face-to-face arrangementwith the water-permeable body-facing layer and having two laterallyopposed flow control layer side edges, at least a portion of each of thetwo flow control layer side edges being disposed laterally inwardly ofthe article side edges; and at least one refastenable side seam at whichthe opposing waist regions are fastened together at or adjacent to oneof the article side edges to form a leg opening, the refastenable sideseam comprising at least a primary fastening component disposed in oneof the waist regions and being capable of fastening to the opposingwaist region, wherein urine deposited by the wearer onto the wetnesssensation member can penetrate through the water-permeable body-facinglayer in a z-direction away from the wearer to the flow control layerand the flow control layer retards the passage of the urine through thewetness sensation member in the z-direction and supports the movement ofthe urine in an x-y plane such that the wearers awareness of urinationis enhanced.
 2. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein theprimary fastening component is a mechanical fastener.
 3. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 1 wherein the refastenable side seamcomprises at least one discrete mating fastening component with whichthe primary fastening component is adapted to engage.
 4. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 1 wherein the refastenable side seam isadapted to fasten the opposing waist regions together in an overlappedconfiguration and comprises at least one secondary fastening componentadapted to fasten respective overlapped portions of the opposing waistregions together adjacent to the primary fastening component.
 5. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 4 wherein the primary fasteningcomponent is a mechanical fastener and the secondary fastening componentis an adhesive.
 6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 furthercomprising a visible highlighting indicating a presence of the wetnesssensation member in the disposable absorbent article and being visibleat least when viewing the body-facing surface Of the topsheet tofacilitate an opportunity for urinary toilet training of the wearer. 7.The disposable absorbent article of claim 6 wherein the visiblehighlighting comprises at least one area of the flow control layer ofthe wetness sensation member including a graphic visibly differing incoloration from the topsheet.
 8. The disposable absorbent article ofclaim 6 wherein the visible highlighting is associatively correlatedwith the concept of urinary toilet training.
 9. A disposable absorbentarticle for wearing about a lower torso of a wearer and having alongitudinal axis, two laterally opposed article side edges extendingbetween a laterally extending first waist edge in a first waist regionand a laterally extending second waist edge in a longitudinally opposingsecond waist region, and a crotch region between the waist regions, thedisposable absorbent article comprising: a backsheet; a topsheetattached to the backsheet and having a body-facing surface; an absorbentcore disposed intermediate the backsheet and the topsheet; at least onewetness sensation member comprising a water-permeable portion of thetopsheet covering a portion of the absorbent core and a flow controllayer disposed between the water-permeable portion of the topsheet andthe absorbent core in a face-to-face arrangement with thewater-permeable portion of the topsheet and having two laterally opposedflow control layer side edges, at least a portion of each of the twoflow control layer side edges being disposed laterally inwardly of thearticle side edges; and at least one refastenable side seam at which theopposing waist regions are fastened together at or adjacent to one ofthe article side edges to form a leg opening, the refastenable side seamcomprising at least a primary fastening component disposed in one of thewaist regions and being capable of fastening to the opposing waistregion, wherein urine deposited by the wearer onto the wetness sensationmember can penetrate through the water-permeable portion of the topsheetin a z-direction away from the wearer to the flow control layer and theflow control layer retards the passage of the urine through the wetnesssensation member in the z-direction and supports the movement of theurine in an x-y plane such that the wearer's awareness of urination isenhanced.
 10. The disposable absorbent article of claim 9 furthercomprising a visible highlighting indicating a presence of the wetnesssensation member in the disposable absorbent article and being visibleat least when viewing the body-facing surface of the topsheet tofacilitate an opportunity for urinary toilet training of the wearer. 11.The disposable absorbent article of claim 9 comprising a plurality ofthe wetness sensation members disposed parallel to and spaced apart fromthe longitudinal axis and spaced apart from one another.
 12. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 11 wherein the topsheet comprisestwo longitudinally extending oppositely facing Z-folds parallel to thelongitudinal axis and the flow control layer of each of the respectivewetness sensation members is disposed within a respective one of the twoZ-folds.
 13. The disposable absorbent article of claim 12 wherein thetwo Z-folds further comprise two longitudinally extending elasticmembers disposed along the two flow control layers.
 14. A disposableabsorbent article for wearing about a lower torso of a wearer and havinga longitudinal axis, two laterally opposed article side edges extendingbetween a laterally extending first waist edge in a first waist regionand a laterally extending second waist edge in a longitudinally opposingsecond waist region, and a crotch region between the waist regions, thedisposable absorbent article comprising: a backsheet; a topsheetattached to the backsheet; an absorbent core disposed intermediate thebacksheet and the topsheet; at least one wetness sensation memberincluding a water-permeable body-facing layer covering a portion of theabsorbent core and a flow control layer disposed between thewater-permeable body-facing layer and the absorbent core in aface-to-face arrangement with the water-permeable body-facing layer, noportion of the water-permeable body-facing layer extendinglongitudinally or transversely beyond the flow control layer; and atleast one refastenable side seam at which the opposing waist regions arefastened together at or adjacent to one of the article side edges toform a leg opening, the refastenable side seam comprising at least aprimary fastening component disposed in one of the waist regions andbeing capable of fastening to the opposing waist region, wherein urinedeposited by the wearer onto the wetness sensation member can penetratethrough the water-permeable body-facing layer in a z-direction away fromthe wearer to the flow control layer and the flow control layer retardsthe passage of the urine through the wetness sensation member in thez-direction and supports the movement of the urine in an x-y plane suchthat the wearer's awareness of urination is enhanced.
 15. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 14 comprising a plurality of the wetnesssensation members disposed parallel to and spaced apart from thelongitudinal axis, no portion of the water-permeable body-facing layerof each of the respective wetness sensation members extendinglongitudinally or transversely beyond the respective flow control layer.16. The disposable absorbent article of claim 14 further comprising avisible highlighting indicating a presence of the wetness sensationmember in the disposable absorbent article and being visible at leastwhen viewing the body-facing surface of the topsheet to facilitate anopportunity for urinary toilet training of the wearer.
 17. A packagecomprising a plurality of disposable absorbent articles for wearingabout a lower torso of a wearer, each of the disposable absorbentarticles having a longitudinal axis, two laterally opposed article sideedges extending between a laterally extending first waist edge in afirst waist region and a laterally extending second waist edge in alongitudinally opposing second waist region, and a crotch region betweenthe waist regions, and comprising: a backsheet; a topsheet attached tothe backsheet and having a body-facing surface; an absorbent coredisposed intermediate the backsheet and the topsheet; at least onewetness sensation member including a water-permeable body-facing layercovering a portion of the absorbent core and a flow control layerdisposed between the water-permeable body-facing layer and the absorbentcore in a face-to-face arrangement with the water-permeable body-facinglayer and having two laterally opposed flow control layer side edges, atleast a portion of each of the two flow control layer side edges beingdisposed laterally inwardly of the article side edges; and at least onerefastenable side seam at which the opposing waist regions are fastenedtogether at or adjacent to one of the article side edges to form a legopening, the refastenable side seam comprising at least a primaryfastening component disposed in one of the waist regions and beingcapable of fastening to the opposing waist region, wherein urinedeposited by the wearer onto the wetness sensation member can penetratethrough the water-permeable body-facing layer in a z-direction away fromthe wearer to the flow control layer and the flow control layer retardsthe passage of the urine through the wetness sensation member in thez-direction and supports the movement of the urine in an x-y plane suchthat the wearer's awareness of urination is enhanced.
 18. The package ofclaim 17 wherein each of the disposable absorbent articles is configuredsuch that the refastenable side scam is fastened.
 19. The package ofclaim 17 wherein each of the disposable absorbent articles furthercomprises a visible highlighting indicating a presence of the wetnesssensation member in the disposable absorbent article and being visibleat least when viewing the body-facing surface of the topsheet tofacilitate an opportunity for urinary toilet timing of the wearer. 20.The package of claim 17 wherein each of the disposable absorbentarticles further comprises at least one secondary fastening componentadapted to fasten respective portions of the opposing waist regionstogether adjacent to the primary fastening component, the secondaryfastening component being fastened and the primary fastening componentbeing open.
 21. A disposable absorbent article for wearing about a lowertorso of a wearer and having a longitudinal axis, two laterally opposedarticle side edges extending between a laterally extending first waistedge in a first waist region and a laterally extending second waist edgein a longitudinally opposing second waist region, and a crotch regionbetween the waist regions, the disposable absorbent article comprising:a backsheet; a topsheet attached to the backsheet and having abody-facing surface; an absorbent core disposed intermediate thebacksheet and the topsheet; at least one wetness sensation memberincluding a flow control layer disposed between a water-permeablebody-facing layer and the absorbent core; and at least one refastenableside seam at which the opposing waist regions are fastened together ator adjacent to one of the article side edges to form a leg opening, therefastenable side seam comprising at least a primary fastening componentdisposed in one of the waist regions and being capable of fastening tothe opposing waist region, wherein urine deposited by the wearer ontothe wetness sensation member can penetrate through the water-permeablebody-facing layer in a z-direction away from the wearer to the flowcontrol layer and the flow control layer retards the passage of theurine through the wetness sensation member in the z-direction.
 22. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 21 wherein the primary fasteningcomponent is a mechanical fastener.
 23. The disposable absorbent articleof claim 21 wherein the refastenable side seam comprises at least onediscrete mating fastening component with which the primary fasteningcomponent is adapted to engage.
 24. The disposable absorbent article ofclaim 21 wherein the refastenable side seam is adapted to fasten theopposing waist regions together in an overlapped configuration andcomprises at least one secondary fastening component adapted to fastenrespective overlapped portions of the opposing waist regions togetheradjacent to the primary fastening component.
 25. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 24 wherein the primary fastening component isa mechanical fastener and the secondary fastening component is anadhesive.
 26. The disposable absorbent article of claim 21 furthercomprising a visible highlighting indicating a presence of the wetnesssensation member in the disposable absorbent article and being visibleat least when viewing the body-facing surface of the topsheet tofacilitate an opportunity for urinary toilet training of the wearer. 27.The disposable absorbent article of claim 21 comprising a plurality ofthe wetness sensation members disposed parallel to and spaced apart fromthe longitudinal axis and spaced apart from one another.
 28. Adisposable absorbent article for wearing about a lower torso of a wearerand having a longitudinal axis, a body-facing surface, two laterallyopposed article side edges extending between a laterally extending firstwaist edge in a first waist region and a laterally extending secondwaist edge in a longitudinally opposing second waist region, and acrotch region between the waist regions, the disposable absorbentarticle comprising: a backsheet; a topsheet attached to the backsheet;at least one flow control layer; an absorbent core disposed intermediatethe backsheet and the topsheet, at least a portion of the absorbent corebeing disposed between the flow control layer and the backsheet; and atleast one refastenable side seam at which the opposing waist regions arefastened together at or adjacent to one of the article side edges toform a leg opening, the refastenable side seam comprising at least aprimary fastening component disposed in one of the waist regions andbeing capable of fastening to the opposing waist region, wherein theflow control layer retards flow in a z direction of urine deposited bythe wearer into the disposable absorbent article.
 29. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 28 wherein the primary fastening component isa mechanical fastener.
 30. The disposable absorbent article of claim 28wherein the refastenable side seam comprises at least one discretemating fastening component with which the primary fastening component isadapted to engage.
 31. The disposable absorbent article of claim 28wherein the refastenable side seam is adapted to fasten the opposingwaist regions together in an overlapped configuration and comprises atleast one secondary fastening component adapted to fasten respectiveoverlapped portions of the opposing waist regions together adjacent tothe primary fastening component.
 32. The disposable absorbent article ofclaim 31 wherein the primary fastening component is a mechanicalfastener and the secondary fastening component is an adhesive.
 33. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 28 further comprising a visiblehighlighting indicating a presence of the flow control layer in thedisposable absorbent article and being visible at least when viewing thebody-facing surface.
 34. The disposable absorbent article of claim 28comprising a plurality of the wetness sensation members disposedparallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis and spaced apartfrom one another.
 35. A package comprising a plurality of disposableabsorbent articles for wearing about a lower torso of a wearer, each ofthe disposable absorbent articles having a longitudinal axis, twolaterally opposed article side edges extending between a laterallyextending first waist edge in a first waist region and a laterallyextending second waist edge in a longitudinally opposing second waistregion, and a crotch region between the waist regions, and comprising: abacksheet; a topsheet attached to the backsheet and having a body-facingsurface; an absorbent core disposed intermediate the backsheet and thetopsheet; at least one wetness sensation member including a flow controllayer disposed between a water-permeable body-facing layer and theabsorbent core; and at least one refastenable side seam at which theopposing waist regions are fastened together at or adjacent to one ofthe article side edges to form a leg opening, the refastenable side scamcomprising at least a primary fastening component disposed in one of thewaist regions and being capable of fastening to the opposing waistregion, wherein urine deposited by the wearer onto the wetness sensationmember can penetrate through the water-permeable body-facing layer in az-direction away from the wearer to the flow control layer and the flowcontrol layer retards the passage of the urine through the wetnesssensation member in the z-direction.
 36. The package of claim 35 whereineach of the disposable absorbent articles is configured such that therefastenable side seam is fastened.
 37. The package of claim 35 whereineach of the disposable absorbent articles further comprises a visiblehighlighting indicating a presence of the wetness sensation member inthe disposable absorbent article and being visible at least when viewingthe body-facing surface of the topsheet to facilitate an opportunity forurinary toilet training of the wearer.
 38. The package of claim 35wherein each of the disposable absorbent articles further comprises atleast one secondary fastening component adapted to fasten respectiveportions of the opposing waist regions together adjacent to the primaryfastening component, the secondary fastening component being fastenedand the primary fastening component being open.
 39. A package comprisinga plurality of disposable absorbent articles for wearing about a lowertorso of a wearer, each of the disposable absorbent articles having alongitudinal axis, a body-facing surface, two laterally opposed articleside edges extending between a laterally extending first waist edge in afirst waist region and a laterally extending second waist edge in alongitudinally opposing second waist region, and a crotch region betweenthe waist regions, and comprising: a backsheet; a topsheet attached tothe backsheet; at least one flow control layer; an absorbent coredisposed intermediate the backsheet and the topsheet, at least a portionof the absorbent core being disposed between the flow control layer andthe backsheet; and at least one refastenable side seam at which theopposing waist regions are fastened together at or adjacent to one ofthe article side edges to form a leg opening, the refastenable side seamcomprising at least a primary fastening component disposed in one of thewaist regions and being capable of fastening to the opposing waistregion, wherein the flow control layer retards flow in a z direction ofurine deposited by the wearer into the disposable absorbent article. 40.The package of claim 39 wherein each of the disposable absorbentarticles is configured such that the refastenable side seam is fastened.41. The package of claim 39 wherein each of the disposable absorbentarticles further comprises a visible highlighting indicating a presenceof the flow control layer in the disposable absorbent article and beingvisible at least when viewing the body-facing surface.
 42. The packageof claim 39 wherein each of the disposable absorbent articles furthercomprises at least one secondary fastening component adapted to fastenrespective portions of the opposing waist regions together adjacent tothe primary fastening component, the secondary fastening component beingfastened and the primary fastening component being open.